Coimbatore : Panic gripped Chadivayal elephant camp in the district on Monday, following reports that a newly inducted kumki (tamed elephant) escaped and moved to human habitats.

The 32-year-old Venkatesh, who was in the forest department elephant camp at Topslip in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, was inducted into Chadivayal camp only on Sunday.

The elephant was well trained in driving out wild elephants and was brought to get accustomed in the camp.

Rumours had been rife since Monday morning that Venkatesh was not to be seen in the camp and escaped to the jungles or human habitats, police said.

However, forest department officials noticed Venkatesh grazing 500 m from the camp and it was brought back.